Some fans of Hogwarts Legacy have voiced their concerns about the overwhelming presence of spiders, even though the game offers an Arachnophobia Mode to ease the fear. Spiders have a notable place in the Harry Potter universe, but for some players, Hogwarts Legacy has taken it too far by featuring them prominently throughout the game.
Since its launch, Hogwarts Legacy has undergone numerous updates, primarily to fine-tune the gameplay. One of the more significant updates introduced a feature aimed at players with arachnophobia. This feature allows players to transform the creepy crawlers into quirky totem-like figures on rollerskates, reminiscent of Ron Weasley’s humorous Riddikulus charm transformation of a spider Boggart in the Harry Potter series. While this Arachnophobia Mode has been a relief for many, some players still express concern over the sheer volume of spiders in the game.
Recently, on Reddit, user ZealousidealLaugh494 brought up their feeling that spiders are overused in Hogwarts Legacy, serving as frequent jump scares and being heavily utilized in side quests. Since completing these side quests is necessary to fully experience the game, the overuse of spiders might deter some players from enjoying everything Hogwarts Legacy has to offer. Although Arachnophobia Mode exists, this player believes the spider focus is “too much,” noting that the overwhelming presence makes them feel “nauseous.”
The issue isn’t just limited to spiders—Hogwarts Legacy tends to repeat many of its enemy types, which contributes to a lack of variety. Alongside spiders, players often encounter Ashwinders, Goblins, Sentinels, Poachers, and Trolls. Arachnophobia Mode does not modify the field guide, leaving it as a potential trigger for players who are uneasy around spiders. Responses to ZealousidealLaugh494’s post echoed these sentiments, with some players noting that it makes the gameplay feel repetitive. A few suggested using mods to swap spiders for different creatures, although this solution is mainly available to PC users.
With rumors of Hogwarts Legacy 2 in development, perhaps the sequel will address these criticisms by diversifying its enemy lineup. Even though the current game doesn’t receive frequent updates, there is potential for a more varied Arachnophobia Mode that could offer a broader array of enemy visuals to accommodate player preferences.
Hogwarts Legacy invites players to explore an open world set in the 1800s, long before the events of the Harry Potter series. As students uncover ancient secrets threatening to unravel the wizarding world, their adventure is what they make of it, with opportunities to learn spells, brew potions, and explore legendary locations like Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and the Forbidden Forest. Released on February 10, 2023, the game offers a unique RPG experience steeped in magic and mystery, but it’s up to the developers to ensure that all players, especially those with specific phobias, can enjoy their adventure to the fullest.
